Solar Systems

the complete mounting system

for photovoltaic panels on a flat roof

www.bigfootsystems.co.uk

An introduction to us
Big Foot Systems have been designing and
manufacturing support systems for air
conditioning ventilation and refrigeration
on flat roofs for 10 years and exporting to
many parts of the world.
We have continued to add new products to
our range and recently our customers asked
us to produce a low cost, robust, quick to
install support system for a growing market
of consumers who want to install PV panels
on their buildings.

We have attempted to address all these issues

by producing a simple flexible system thats
quick to install, and consequently makes the
whole process flow from the moment you take
the first step to the moment your making your
own electricity.

Index
1

An introduction to us

2 Galvanised platform
We provide you with recommended ballast
weights and fixings to ensure that your
installation is well secured in high winds,
plus an insurance backed 25 year guarantee!

3 Concrete slab installation

Wind loading
4 Fix-it Foot

The new feed in tariffs for PV have created

a market place for small to medium size
installations and customers want to be
green, but at the same time want a return
on their investment.

5 Medium & large systems

6 Fixing the panels
7 Enquiry form
PLEASE NOTE:
System does not include
PV solar panels

Contact us today:

t +44 (0)1323 844 355 sales@bigfootsystems.co.uk www.bigfootsystems.co.uk

Big Foot Solar Systems 1

Galvanised platform
For supporting photovoltaic panels on
a flat roof
Framework: 40mm x 40mm x 2.5mm
thick steel tube

GALVANISED
STEEL BASE

Priced by the metre

BALLAST
(SEE PAGE 3)

Quick installation setup: 10m in 5 minutes

Platform
Hot Dipped Galvanised steel to Safety
Standard BS EN ISO 1461:1999 for
maximum corrosion resistance for all year
round intense weathering and extreme
storm conditions.
Bonding the platform to the Fix-it Foot
For extra lasting hold use exterior contact
adhesive or Antel aerosol contact adhesive.

FULLY ADJUSTABLE
TO SUIT VARIOUS
PANEL SIZES
FIX-IT FOOT
(SEE PAGE 4)

Contact us today:

t +44 (0)1323 844 355 sales@bigfootsystems.co.uk www.bigfootsystems.co.uk

Big Foot Solar Systems 2

Concrete slab installation

1. OVERLAY SECOND
SLAB ON FIRST

Wind loading
Big Foot Solar Systems are ballasted in
accordance to BS6399 Part 2 Loading for
buildings. Code of practice for wind loads
and BRE Digest 489 document Wind
loads on roof based photovoltaic systems.

2. SLIDE INTO PLACE

SECURING BRACKETS

FULLY
ADJUSTABLE

An assessment is made based on the

solar panel size, quantity, pitch and
mass of the panel(s) then calculated
to obtain the required ballast. Terrain,
topography, building height etc. all
plays a part in this calculation.
The table below provides the ballast
requirements for solar panels up to this
size and mass. However should your
panel(s) be larger, then contact us first.

3. ADD THIRD BLOCK

TO FRONT

Quick and cost effective ballast

Commercial paving slabs readily available
from builders merchants ensure
recommended ballast loading

If frames can be fixed or wired to parts

of the building structure, ballast may
be reduced.
Panel
dimensions

Panel
weight

1500 x 1000mm
15kg min.
(1.5m)

Angle

Recommended
ballast per lnr. mtr.

25-45

126kg
(3 slabs*)

*slab size 600 x 600mm, weighing 42kg each

Secured with easy fix brackets supplied

Contact us today:

t +44 (0)1323 844 355 sales@bigfootsystems.co.uk www.bigfootsystems.co.uk

Big Foot Solar Systems 3

Fix-it Foot
FIX-IT FOOT 400

The Fix-it Foot is a neat and tidy support

solution from Big Foot. Made from durable
recycled rubber with a channel moulded
into the top face, allowing fixing of
40 x 40mm box section or strut.
Recesses in the underside allow for small
debris on the roof surface. The recycled
rubber also offers built-in anti-vibration
and is economical as well as being
environmentally responsible.

FIX-IT FOOT LOW 400

Quality Assurance
Raw materials are selected from ISO9002
registered suppliers.

INCASE YOU ARE CONSTRUCTING YOUR

OWN FRAMEWORK... USE FIX-IT FOOT!

Four sizes of Fix-it Foot available

Spreads the weight without penetrating the
roof membrane
Made from durable recycled rubber which offers
built-in anti-vibration
U.V. stabilised

Contact us today:

Fix-it
Foot

Length
(mm)

Width
(mm)

Height
(mm)

Weight
(kg)

Max. load
per foot
(kg)

250 Low

250

130

50

1.1

50

400 Low

400

130

50

1.7

100

250

250

180

95

2.3

100

400

400

180

95

3.7

200

t +44 (0)1323 844 355 sales@bigfootsystems.co.uk www.bigfootsystems.co.uk

Construction
Pressure moulded using a 1 or 2 part mix, utilising
milled, sieved & graded Styrene Butadiene Rubber
(SBR-Recycled Rubber). Bound using a ratio of high
quality moisture curing Polyurethane Pre-Polymer.
Manufactured with a built in shrinkage allowance.
Safety Standards
British Standard BS7188:1989
& BS5696 Part 3:1979
European Standard PR EN 1177
U.S.A. Standard ASTM F 1292-99

Big Foot Solar Systems 4

Medium & large systems

MEDIUM 1.2m SYSTEM

We have engineered our Big Foot Solar

Systems to meet the need for a support
that will be highly secure and compatible
for differing sizes of solar panels on flat roofs.
Two fundamental solar system sizes
accommodate most manufacturers panels:
Medium 1.2m System
Large 1.4m System

LARGE 1.4m SYSTEM

General solar panel

size variants (mm)

System size

1310 x 990

Medium

1318 x 994

Medium

1370 x 740

Medium

1482 x 992

Large

1559 x 798

Large

1576 x 798

Large

1580 x 798

Large

1650 x 990

Large

1652 x 994

Large

Frame weight: 16kg per linear metre

Contact us today:

t +44 (0)1323 844 355 sales@bigfootsystems.co.uk www.bigfootsystems.co.uk

Big Foot Solar Systems 5

Fixing the panels

Drill on site
1. Drill through solar panel and aluminium
support (hole size: 7mm diameter)
2. Recommended PV solar panel
fixing bolt:
M6 x 20mm zinc plated bolt x 4
M6 stainless steel Nyloc nut x 4
Ensure stainless steel self locking Nyloc
nut spring washers are used throughout
installation fixings.

ADJUSTABLE

Contact us today:

t +44 (0)1323 844 355 sales@bigfootsystems.co.uk www.bigfootsystems.co.uk

Big Foot Solar Systems 6

Enquiry form
Contact details

Panel details

Contact name: .....................................................................................

Panel quantity: ............................................................. Panel size (L) x (W) x (D): ..............................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................

Panel array preference (e.g. straight line / bank of two rows etc.): ............................................................................................................................

Company name:.................................................................................

..
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................

Orientation:

Address: ....................................................................................................

Building details

..........................................................................................................................

Building roof height: ............................................................................................. Roof pitch: ...................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................

Site location (town / county / postcode): .................................................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................

Roof build-up / waterproofing membrane: ..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................

..
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Postcode: ................................................................................................

Roof drawing?

yes

no

New access through roof proposed?

yes

no

Telephone no: .......................................................................................

Structural limitations?

yes

no

New pedestrian access platform to roof required?

yes

no

Email address: .....................................................................................

Roof space restrictions?

yes

no

Specific height off roof required?

yes

no

Additional notes:
The panel(s) location, aspect, weather, shade and tilt should all be considered as they
may affect the panel(s) performance.
Big Foot Solar Systems can be assembled very rapidly at approximately 8 metres per
hour based on two people installing.
Big Foot Solar Systems takes no responsibility for the condition of the roof on which
our equipment is to be used. You must ensure that the substrate on which the Big Foot
is intended for use is structurally sound enough to take the weight and point loadings
we have indicated. All Big Foot products must be installed in line with the guarantees
and recommendations of the manufacturer of the roofing system. The manufacturer of
PVC membranes should advise on the susceptibility to migration of plasticizers and
specific recommendations should be adhered to so that the roof guarantee is not affected.

Contact us today:

landscape

portrait

Manufacturer / model: ....................................................................................................

Further information:

t +44 (0)1323 844 355 sales@bigfootsystems.co.uk www.bigfootsystems.co.uk

Big Foot Solar Systems 7